Prosthetic legs have truly evolved since the Greek and Roman times. Once made from wood and leather, and evolving into molds that resemble exact replicas of the original limb or body part, prosthetics have changed the lives of amputees for the better. To receive a prosthetic limb, an individual must have experienced a traumatic accident which caused him or her to sacrifice one or multiple limbs. This is commonly seen from ex-soldiers and veterans, but can affect anyone with an illness. The prosthetic is custom built to the patient’s unique figure then is fitted to the patient several weeks after the amputation surgery has been completed. (Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/prosthetic-limb3.htm)

Limb loss statistics:

Around 65,000 amputations are performed each year in the U.S.

Nearly two million people live with limb loss in U.S.

82 percent of the nearly two million amputees were caused by vascular disease, including diabetes and peripheral arterial disease.

22 percent caused by trauma

Less than 2 percent were caused congenitally

113,000 lower limb amputations are performed each year.

55 percent of people with diabetes who have lower limb amputation will require amputation of the second leg within two to three years.

Almost 50 percent of people who have an amputation due to vascular disease will die within five years.